The role of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) for renal injury was investigated in the chronic model of progressive renal disease in rats induced by the injection of adriamycin. The renal cortical tissues were sampled at weeks 4, 8 and 16 for histological examination, either cortical or glomerular cell culture, and RNA extraction. A progressive increase in fibronectin synthesis was found in metabolically labeled cortical or glomerular culture at week 8 or 16, correlating with the degree of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. TGF-beta bioassay (mink lung epithelial cell assay) showed a progressive increase in latent TGF-beta secretion from cortex and glomeruli, while the amount of active TGF-beta was small. The peak of latent TGF-beta levels at week 16 coincided with the intense TGF-beta 1 staining of inflammatory cells dispersed in the interstitium and glomeruli. Northern blotting demonstrated the difference in the mRNA expression patterns of TGF-beta 1 and latent TGF-beta 1 binding protein (LTBP) in the cortex. TGF-beta 1 mRNA was constantly high throughout the experiment, while LTBP mRNA increased progressively and reached a peak at week 16. Furthermore, mRNA levels of fibronectin, procollagen alpha 2(I), and TGF-beta type II and type III receptors increased progressively in a similar pattern to the renal histological changes. These temporal and spacial relationships between the renal histological changes and the increased expression of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta receptors may thus suggest that TGF-beta 1 plays an important role in the process of the renal fibrosis and sclerosis.

Chirality switching is intriguing for the dynamic control of the electronic and optical properties in nanoscale materials. The ability to photochemically switch the chirality in liquid crystals (LCs) is especially attractive given their potential applications in electro-optic displays, optical data storage, and the asymmetric synthesis of organic molecules and polymers. Here, we present a dynamic photoswitching of the helical inversion in chiral nematic LCs (N*-LCs) that contain photoresponsive axially chiral dopants. Novel photoresponsive chiral dithienylethene derivatives bearing two axially chiral binaphthyl moieties are synthesized. The dihedral angle of the binaphthyl rings changes via the photoisomerization between the open and closed forms of the dithienylethene moiety. The N*-LCs induced by the dithienylethene derivatives that are used as chiral dopants exhibit reversible photoswitching behaviors, including a helical inversion in the N*-LC and a phase transition between the N*-LC and the nematic LC. The present compounds are the first chiral dopants that induce a helical inversion in N*-LC via the photoisomerization between open and closed forms of the dithienylethene moiety.

Arterial stiffening with age is matched by ventricular systolic stiffening even without hypertrophy. The two effects contribute to elevating systolic pressure sensitivity to altered chamber filling. In addition to recognized baroreflex and autonomic dysfunction with age, combined stiffening could further enhance pressure lability with diuretics and postural shifts in the elderly.

No abstract

Incremental PD could represent a novel therapeutic option for elderly patients with refractory HF. In addition to fluid removal by PD, correction of renal anemia, preservation of kidney function, and avoidance of high-dose diuretic therapy may play a role in maximizing clinical benefits.